It was only a matter of time before Piers Morgan weighed in with his opinions on Emma Watson’s Vanity Fair cover shoot, and sure enough, he is now embroiled in a war of words with her about feminism.
Speaking out against her critics, Emma said she was “confused” at being called out for being an unapologetic feminist and wearing a see-through top in the pictures.
Writing in his MailOnline column, Piers then branded her a “feminist fraud”, pointing out she had said similar things about Beyoncé in the past.
The ‘Harry Potter’ star said she felt “conflicted” watching the singer’s videos during a 2014 interview with Wonderland magazine, claiming “it felt very male, such a voyeuristic experience of her”.
Emma has now hit back on Twitter, posting the interview with her comments in context, writing: “This is the part of my 2014 interview with Tavi where we talked about Beyoncé. My words are in bold.”
However, Piers hit back, responding: “OK. So do you still feel ‘conflicted’ about Beyoncé’s use of sexy videos to promote her feminism?”
While Emma has not responded to Piers, he has continued to respond to fans who have tried to defend the actress.
“I think Emma needs to work out what she finds conflicting re feminism & nudity,” he told one.
“It’s Emma who is dictating how other women should behave re feminism & nudity, not me,” he told another.
Piers also couldn’t help but discuss the matter on Tuesday’s (7 March) edition of ‘Good Morning Britain’, as his co-host Susanna Reid also pointed out that Emma wasn’t actually topless in the Vanity Fair shoot.
“From guys on the outside looking in, we’re trying to work out what women think of as feminism. It doesn’t help when stars want their cake and eat it too,” he said.
“She’s doing it very deliberately to sell a Disney film, which is aimed at kids. I’m not sure this is the best use of Emma’s time.
“Is this really the best image she wants out there for her young audience?”
Susanna concluded by saying: “Vanity Fair is not a children’s magazine, so she didn’t do it deliberately aimed at children. As a feminist she can do what she wants.”
‘Good Morning Britain’ airs weekdays at 6am on ITV.
9 Times Emma Watson Lived And Breathed Feminism
On objectification...(01 of09)
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Watson didn't hold back when addressing the Vanity Fair outrage. She told Reuters: “It just always reveals to me how many misconceptions and what a misunderstanding there is about what feminism is.
"Feminism is about giving women choice. Feminism is not a stick with which to beat other women with. It’s about freedom, it’s about liberation, it’s about equality.
"I really don’t know what my tits have to do with it. It’s very confusing." (credit:Vanity Fair)
On beauty standards...(02 of09)
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The actress has spoken out on numerous occasions about the beauty standards that women are held to and is a champion of 'being yourself'.
“I don’t have perfect teeth. I’m not stick thin. I want to be the person who feels great in her body and can say that she loves it and doesn’t want to change anything,” she said.
Working in the film industry, which is undeniably ageist when it comes to women, she said: "I’m excited about the ageing process. I’m more interested in women who aren’t perfect. They’re more compelling." (credit:Karwai Tang via Getty Images)
On involving men in the gender equality fight...(03 of09)
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In 2014, Watson helped launch UN Women's #HeForShe campaign, which encourages men and boys to take action against negative inequalities faced by women and girls.
At the time Watson, who is UN Women Goodwill Ambassador, said: "I am reaching out to you because I need your help. We want to end gender inequality - and to do that we need everyone to be involved. This is the first campaign of its kind at the UN: we want to try and galvanise as many men and boys as possible to be advocates for gender equality. And we don’t just want to talk about it, but make sure it is tangible." (credit:Rob Kim via Getty Images)
On finding feminism...(04 of09)
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Watson said she first started questioning gender-based assumptions when she was eight years old and hasn't looked back since.
"At eight I was confused at being called 'bossy', because I wanted to direct the plays we would put on for our parents - but the boys were not," she recalled in a #HeForShe speech.
She said that aged 14, she began to be "sexualised" by the media, and aged 15 her friends started dropping out of their sports teams because they didn’t want to appear "muscly".
"I decided I was a feminist and this seemed uncomplicated to me," she concluded. (credit:Jim Spellman via Getty Images)
On the gender pay gap...(05 of09)
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Overall, women can expect to earn significantly less than men over their entire careers. According to The Fawcett Society, the current overall pay gap for full time workers is 13.9%.
Discussing this stat, Watson said: "The reality is that if we do nothing, it will take 75 years, or for me to be nearly 100, before women can expect to be paid the same as men, for the same work."
She added: “I think it is right I am paid the same as my male counterparts.” (credit:Pacific Press via Getty Images)
On playing Belle in 'Beauty And The Beast'...(06 of09)
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When you think of feminism, Disney princesses aren't exactly the first (or indeed second) thing that spring to mind. But Watson hopes to change this.
Discussing her character in the remake of Disney classic 'Beauty And The Beast', Watson said that her character takes on the role of inventor, which was Belle's father's role in the original storyline.
She added that Belle is "absolutely a Disney princess, but she's not a passive character - she's in charge of her own destiny". (credit:Barcroft Media via Getty Images)
On battling stereotypes...(07 of09)
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Watson is also a fierce opponent of the stereotypes that hold young women and girls back. She said: "I feel like young girls are told that they have to be a princess and fragile. It’s bullshit. I identify much more with being a warrior – a fighter. If I was going to be a princess, I’d be a warrior princess."
She also previously said that young girls should never 'dumb themselves down' with the aim of being attractive to a guy and added: "Girls should never be afraid to be smart." (credit:Rindoff/Dufour via Getty Images)
On her feminist book club...(08 of09)
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In the spirit of promoting gender equality and championing strong women, Emma Watson launched a feminist book club called "Our Shared Shelf", which is conducted through a group on Goodreads and has more than 37,000 members. In true feminist fashion, the first book Watson chose was Gloria Steinem's memoir 'My Life on the Road'. (credit:VALERIE MACON via Getty Images)
“The minute I stood up and spoke about women’s rights I was immediately threatened,” she said. “This is a real thing that’s happening now, women are receiving threats.”
She said the threats made her even more determined to fight for gender equality. “People thought I’d be disheartened by this, but if anything it made me so much more determined,” she said.